[Ammi]

A woman who committed suicide left a note blaming the Government's so-called bedroom tax for her death.

Stephanie Bottrill killed herself earlier this month, and wrote in her final letter: "I don't [blame] anyone for me death expect [sic] the government."

Her son Steven, 27, said she was struggling to cope after being told to pay £20-a-week extra for two under-occupied bedrooms at her home in Solihull.

He told the Sunday People: "I couldn't believe it. She said not to blame ourselves, it was the Government and what they were doing that caused her to do it.

"She was fine before this bedroom tax. It was dreamt up in London, by people living in offices and big houses. They have no idea the effect it has on people like my mum."

Ms Bottrill, 53, died 10 days ago.

In the days running up to her death she told neighbours: "I can't afford to live any more."

Solihull Council Labour group leader David Jamieson, who knows the family well, said: "I'm absolutely appalled this poor lady has taken her own life because she was worried how she would pay the bedroom tax.

"I hope the Government will sit up and take notice and reconsider this policy."

The bedroom tax means people of a working age in social housing who have a spare bedroom will find housing benefit claims reduced by £40 to £80 a month.

Ms Bottrill had lived in her £320-a-month home for 18 years as she raised her son and daughter, but could not cope with the extra £80 she had to find every month.

Mr Bottrill said his mother wanted to work, but there was no way she could.

As a child she was diagnosed with the auto-immune system deficiency, Myasthenia gravis.

The illness made her weak and she had to take constant medication.

Doctors had told her she was too ill to hold down a job, but she had never been registered as disabled, so she lived without disability benefit.

Sky's political correspondent Sophy Ridge said: "Downing Street isn't commenting on what it says is a personal matter but clearly this will lead to calls for the policy to be changed.

"Downing Street knows it is controversial. That's why some amendments have been made to the policy already, saying armed services personnel and foster carers won't be affected.

"Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has argued consistently that he thinks this policy is a fair one, but certainly I think this row is going to keep going."

[Omah]

I blame the government, too .....

Rewarding the rich and penalising the poor ..... totally and typically Tory .....

[arista]

Its a Cut back
not a bedroom tax.


Others are going ahead with changes

[Marsh.]

I thought it was a cutback not an actual charge?

[AnnieK]

It amounts to the same thing though really doesn't it? The main issue a lot of people I have spoken to is they requested 2bed properties but none available so the council gave them 3 beds so they now lose money because of the lack of adequate housing. It is an unfair charge/cutback/tax IMO.

[Kizzy]

Too right, it was ill thought out and rushed through without being impact assessed, well now only a matter of weeks into the changes we have our first victim of these 'charges'.

[Vicky.]

She wont be the only one either..people cant be expected to pull money out of thin air..for many it will be a choice between paying the extra rent and eating. Homeless or starve. What a choice.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

She wont be the only one either..people cant be expected to pull money out of thin air..for many it will be a choice between paying the extra rent and eating. Homeless or starve. What a choice.

I hope she is.


And No one is homeless
its Downsizing,

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by arista

I hope she is.


And No one is homeless
its Downsizing,

Downsizing to what though? Certainly in my area they have removed a lot of the smaller council properties and not replaced them. How can people be expected to downsize to non existent smaller properties?? And will they be compensated for the money spent maintaining and decorating the 3 bed properties if forced to move? I highly doubt it. It is pushing people further into the mire financially.

[arista]

Originally Posted by anniek76

Downsizing to what though? Certainly in my area they have removed a lot of the smaller council properties and not replaced them. How can people be expected to downsize to non existent smaller properties?? And will they be compensated for the money spent maintaining and decorating the 3 bed properties if forced to move? I highly doubt it. It is pushing people further into the more financially.

Whatever they can.


This is Only Council Homes.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by arista

Whatever they can.


This is Only Council Homes.

Well folk are not being ousted from their own properties.
And there is no 'mansion tax' is there?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by arista

I hope she is.


And No one is homeless
its Downsizing,

There arent enough smaller properties for everyone affected. So some have no choice but to stay where they are. If they cant afford the extra charge..eventually they will be evicted for rent arrears. = homeless.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

There arent enough smaller properties for everyone affected. So some have no choice but to stay where they are. If they cant afford the extra charge..eventually they will be evicted for rent arrears. = homeless.

No the Council must House them

Stop all this Doom talk

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by arista

No the Council must House them

Stop all this Doom talk

Thats not true though...

[InOne]

Originally Posted by arista

No the Council must House them

Stop all this Doom talk

The Social Housing lists are absolutely massive. It takes people years to get rehomed sometimes.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by arista;5988443[B

]No the Council must House them
[/B]
Stop all this Doom talk

No that is incorrect, if there isn't a smaller property available you will have to pay the extra regardless. What about people who are in their 70s/80s/90s who have lived in their council homes all their lives, and might in some cases be living in a 3 bedroom property on their own? are they just supposed to up sticks at that time of life from a place that holds all their memories?

[Ninastar]

blaming a tax on suicide... really?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

blaming a tax on suicide... really?

It is not a tax as has been noted, but essentially yes it is to blame the dead woman herself blamed it, did you read the OP?

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

It is not a tax as has been noted, but essentially yes it is to blame the dead woman herself blamed it, did you read the OP?

no, i didn't but i don't think you can blame one thing on suicide.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

blaming a tax on suicide... really?

It was not just that.
Its a Spin on the the Tragic Event

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

blaming a tax on suicide... really?

Exactly,my thoughts Ninastar,don't believe that 's what drove her to that at all.

[arista]

"have you ever been on a council waiting list? "


No it would be hell

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by arista

"have you ever been on a council waiting list? "


No it would be hell

Exactly. Yet you seem to have this idea that people just get given houses left right and centre. Doesnt work like that at all.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Exactly. Yet you seem to have this idea that people just get given houses left right and centre. Doesnt work like that at all.

No I understand its Tough
we are in Hard Times



Vicky Stay Strong

You Have My Respect

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by arista

No I understand its Tough
we are in Hard Times



Vicky Stay Strong

You Have My Respect

Well 'we' arent really in hard times are we... I have had my tax cut, so I have more income than ever before. Richer people than me have the same tax breaks...the very richest avoid tax alltogether and nothing is done about it. And yet the poorest and most vulnerable in society are being hammered over and over again.